In the most problematic territory for Microsoft's Xbox 360, the console briefly outsold the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console from Sony in weekly sales figures. Ever since the Xbox 360 launched in Japan, it has been largely ignored by consumers, who then preferred the Nintendo Wii and PS3 after their releases. Unfortunately for Microsoft, the temporary success doesn't guarantee any long term boost ... [ read the full article ]
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You really have to admire the Japanese. They are very dedicated to their own products. Sony, Nintendo, Toyota's etc. It would be nice though for them to embrace the 360. There are so many great exclusives they are missing out on.
If anything, this just proves that Japanese consumers are NOT as xenophobic as a lot of people (mostly 360-fans) make them out to be. The console itself (360) isn't aimed towards Japanese gamers, since there's a strong emphasis on online and the RROD problem is a heavy burden (Japanese consumers attach a lot more importance to quality than price).
However, if a game comes out that is aimed at JP audiences, like Tales of Vesperia, they do actually buy the console it appears on.
It doesn't have to do with 'nationalism' as much as with taste: Japanese consumers dislike the console, but when exclusive games come out on it that they like, they do buy it.
Also have to remember that both the 360 and PS3 have very little to offer to Japanese gamers at the moment. Games like Halo 3, Resistance, Gears of War, etc aren't much to the liking of Japanese gamers.
I noticed japanese people usually tend to play more fighting and RPG games and not so much shooters. Much different here in north america. we love our shooters and sport games.
Originally posted by xtago: I would say this high sales of the 360 is more due to the USA have probably dumped in more or done a change of guard in japan.
There are around 100,000+ US troops in Japan.
selling an extra 25,000 360's is a bit odd seeing as it's avg sale rate is around 2,000 a week.
US troops would be buying Xbox 360s at their local BX. Those sales figures would fall into NA, not Japan.
Japanese 360s are Region 2, so around 99% (don't quote me on that percentage, as it's really just a guess) of US games would not play on them.
Me, I bought 4 Japanese 360s. Stupid things kept breaking and I don't know enough Japanese to even try to send it in for warranty. Not a big deal anyways. You can buy two Japanese 360s in Japan for the price of one US 360 in the states.
